Back in October, Ariana Grande wowed audiences with her comedy chops while hosting Saturday Night Live — and in a new interview, her Wicked co-star Bowen Yang is breaking down how one of the audience’s favorite sketches came directly from Grande.
In an Interview Magazine conversation with SNL legend Will Ferrell, Yang explained that the original idea for the sketch was inspired by a real-life game night that happened in Grande’s household. “We were hanging out, and she was like, ‘I have some ideas for the show. We were playing charades the other night with my mom and my brother-in-law’s brother, and he got a little too triumphant about his win. And then my mom just cut him off and was like, ‘You must have a tiny c–k or something,’” Yang recalled. “What a perfect, boring beginning to a premise, to have it take place in a very everyday environment. And it was so much fun.”
Yang went on, adding that while acting with Grande in the scene, he had a hard time trying to match her comedic energy. “Ariana was very precise in terms of her timing and delivery, but I either get hyper-focused or let myself go,” he explained.
Ferrell complimented both Yang and Grande on their performances in the sketch, saying that the writing and acting made the simple premise work. “The slow build, and the dynamic back and forth, and how cocky you are, but then you have to immediately back off,” Ferrell said. “And then the weird kiss at the end — it’s everything I love, surprising at every turn.”
When asked about his friendship with Grande, Yang explained that his relationship with the singer was very much like his relationship with Ferrell: “In a way that is so organic and reminds me of you — not to brown-nose too much, I’m just like, ‘I can’t believe I have this really wonderful professional and personal relationship with Will, someone who I’ve respected and worshipped for so long.’ And then it happened two times,” he said.
Watch Grande’s “Charades With Mom” sketch from her stint on SNL below:
